I have now posted on the MEM44 Military Archives SFTF tab seven scenarios. As I said before, please select 3 in order of preference. The point system will be 3 for first, 2 for 2nd, and 1 for 3rd. The highest 3 scenarios will be the ones we use for the mainland Italy campaign.

All of the ones that were previously posted have been tweaked. Do not go by the ratings(hopefully still 3 stars) or % of victory. Just pick the ones that you think your team has the best chance to win or what might be the most interesting and fun.

OK - I'm not familiar with any of these maps, and really don't have time to play test all of them... Anyone of ~ The Axis Persuasion ~ who has some insight ( defined as : These are most likely Axis slam dunks! ) feel free to PM me !

You really can't play them since I'm only allowed one at a time online. You have to intuitively try to figure out which 3 you think you'll have the best chance. Which 3 you think would be the most fun is also a criteria. So... which 3 are they?

You really can't play them since I'm only allowed one at a time online. You have to intuitively try to figure out which 3 you think you'll have the best chance. Which 3 you think would be the most fun is also a criteria. So... which 3 are they?

I think it is a very fun scenario which on the allies right and middle is somewhat of a tank battle but you need to plan carefully because the allied armor only moves two and the german moves three. Also the difference between four tanks in a unit and only three makes you play it differently. And then there are those artilleries. all mobile but the Axis ones very fragile with only one figure. Carfeully laid plans can crumble to nothing for both sides as the other side gets some lucky dice.

Theres i of course also the "race for Messina" The allies want to get the two points and the germans want to escape. I managed to get there today s allies without the BEL card.

And on the left flank there are possibilities for both sides to get a nice infantry offensive going without the armor units doing much about it. carefully placing the right units in the right place for the allies and a less subtle attack can be made by the Axis. Very often I manage to get my guys in there without a retreat because of those tricky gorges/wadis.

Lots of choices and lots of fun.

Eric, I know we playtested this one month ago, but was there a ford in the river then or did you add that recently? I could not remember.

You're very observant. Yes, I did add a ford later. I play tested it with some of our other compatriots from both sides and they all agreed that the Allies were too bottled up on their right flank. Therefore, I added a ford for the engineer unit to threaten the anti-tank unit in the town. The games are now 2-2. Your game with Droopy was really close. If you could have eliminated his artillery unit with either the armor or inf. unit I think the outcome would have been different. I'm really very happy with this scenario. There are a lot of options in all 3 sections, which makes you think not only what card to play but which units to attack. It also plays very evenly, which I always strive for in this tournament.

Again everyone, there is only 1 battle left so please select the 3 out of 7 scenarios you would like to play for our final ones. There will be no changes to any of these scenarios. So what you see is what you get. Thanks.

By the way, the score is now 22-19. Van Voort is the Allies 2 point player so we can make it 22-21 with a victory. Go Double 'V'!!

Since Van Voort has more pressing engagements instead of playing a game(he's getting his priorities all wrong), we will move on. He will be posting 'Breaking the Etna Line' under his name so he and sdnative can complete their round later. Once he lets me know that it is online, I will make available our next scenario, Ortona. After Ortona we will be playing Cassino. Since the third scenario didn't have a clear cut winner, the side that is behind after Cassino will get to choose the final scenario from either Counterattack at Anzio, The Advance on Leghorn or Operation Encore.

For this round Droopy lets Jeronimon know who his 2 point player will be and Jeronimon sets the lineups.

I'll definitely put it up after we are done. Maybe we can play it sometime when we're both online. I'll invite you from my private ones. It's weird seeing Japanese badges on U.S. troops. But it plays just like it should.

I've posted 'Ortona' online for us to continue the tournament. When sdnative and VanVoort have set up a time I will make sure 'Breaking the Etna Line' is back up. So, either of you can P.M. me or post something here when you have decided on a time.

There will be only three more Med. Theater scenarios. After that, I plan on hosting another tournament involving the Eastern Front. I have quite a few scenarios to choose from. The only one I know we will play is Van Voort's 'Berlin'. That scenario will be the final one in the series.

Best point player: the man from Portugal Clorofila 7 - 3 (won 5 two 2 point games)
closely followed by my Nemesis, the commander of our opposing army Droopy with 6 - 2 (Also won 5 but only one 2 point game in there).
Luckily Artimon does just as well as Droopy (those french guys kick heiny! ) 6 - 2 (Also won 5 and also only one 2 point game in there).

Then the honourable gentleman from across the channel Jaykay2010 with 4 -4 (won 4 for 4 points, and lost only three but one of those was 2 points for LooneyLlama)

The rest of us are "below par" with less points in our favour than against us.
So let's crank it up a notch in the last three battles: Lucky91, Sdnative, LooneyLlama, Trentdep and of course myself!

Artimon, Lucky, Clorofila and Jeronimon all voted for Ortona. I realize that 3 of them are Allies but most of the guys on your side didn't vote. Don't be so upset. It's not like it's Arnhem Bridge. The Allied win percentage is 59% right now. Do your best and forget the rest!

I voted for those which seemed the best and most interesting scenarios. I didn't consider, not even for a second, the balance issue; I didn't even look for the numbers. In this tournament, we all have the possibility to play top-quality scenarios (Eric's) and to me at least, that is far more important than trying to play a biased map that will favor our side. Call me a fool or a naïve, but that's how I see it. Bill me later

Eric ... There was no ~ upset ~ there - just commenting on the ( obvious ) biased nature of this scenario ( and - seriously - hoping for some help !! Come on team - PM me !!!

No "real" issues w/ your maps Eric - other than the ~ This Is A Competition And I Prefer To Win ~ thing...

Guess my companions not voting likely has something to do w their leader's ( Heil! ) propensity for reviewing the polling records... Said leader ( Heil !! ) being of the opinion that we dominate any scenario...

( BTW - I put a check in the Allies win column for both First Assualt Wave and Operation Goodwood today! )

Clorofila : Thanks for clearing that up for me, although I could have guessed that none of the Allied team had "consider(ed), not even for a second, the balance issue"...

I honestly don't think this scenario is that unbalanced. JayKay would have won the first game if Artimon didn't have Air Power and Barrage. It was 8-7. This one's been played quite a bit and the percentage is 59% for Allies. It is very tough for the Allies to get across the bridges. Artimon had no units left over the Moro when he won. Let's see how it plays out.

By the way, since we only get to play one side in this tournament, I did try to balance all the scenarios as much as possible,while trying to stay within the historical context of the battle. I consider all the players to have a great understanding of the game and so the score is 23-20. That's pretty close. In truth, I may not be as competitive as you, as my interest is in writing challenging scenarios and getting to play them against friends. Winning is kinda secondary.(You didn't hear that Gen. Jeronimon!)

In the Eastern Front tournament to come, the scenarios won't be so balanced as the players will be playing both sides, though I think anything over 75% for one side makes for uninteresting battles. The 'Berlin' scenario by Van Voort, would be the only possible exception as I think it really gives you the feeling of the desperate situation the Germans were in during the final days of the war. That's the kind of historical scenario that brings this game to life. I tried to do that in the ones you've played so far, but probably not as good as Van Voort.

I just noticed that the Allies are winning Berlin only 48% of the time! I had played it when it was nearly impossible to win as Axis! I kind of liked it like that.

Even though I have been court-martialled for this before, some tips from the enemy to prepare you for your match.

Generally
First and foremost: don't rush forward. It is your style to play aggressive which is okay but you have to know you won't run out of fuel. So "one card" is "no card" two card is attack retreat, three card is attack attack retreat four card is a big push.
Secondly: Don't leave a unit "out there" thinking you will retreat it later. Eric/LlooneyLlama will eat those for breakfast.
Thirdly: more specific to Llooney's scenario's: some of your troops will need to be "developed" as they say in chess. You will have to move them into more strategic positions to use them later on. No firing on the first (or sometimes even second) turne of them moving. But you will need them later on, so you need to do this manoeuvring.

Ortona
(This is also my take on the scenario)
From the British side: attack heavily on the Ortona side. But beware you have to cross the bridge and that takes some logistics. The infantry can move two and fight but the armor can only move two also so the bridge is a real bottleneck getting those troops out. Staying still on that flank let's the Axis in the forward forest pick of those Brits really efficiently. once you have killed them you have to manoeuvre your troops to get at Ortona nicely. Beware of the German tank. Which should be in the forest.
On the left I would not attack with the allies stay back and try to destroy the axis advance. But it's hard because you have armor there but cannot efficiently use because the river and the villages are in the way. I would advise the allied player not to leave cover, but you are temted to do just that to get a good shot.
In the middle you can play around a little, you have to take out the middle infantry of the axis and need some turns to move your armor over the middle bridge or the right side armor over the right bridge and then to the middle after securing Ortona.

From the Axis side
Defend Ortona, move the armor into the forest to stop the infantries advancing, move troops from the middle to that side and stop that advance! I have not tried to retreat the forward unit because it can so nicely shoot those exposed Brits. An Ambush on that side gives a real advantage to either side. Treasure it.
I the middle retreating the forward infantry seems a good idea to me, it lures the British troops further away from the artillery and into the axis grasp.
On the right side I feel is the best side to advance. Take your armor forward (but not to far) and start plinking away those infantries with your armor and artillery from a distance. (Medics and mechanics a real blow for the axis here if the Brits play it.) The Brit will try to counter with plinking away at your armor and moving in armor. Attack at your own discretion, but beware of the engineers.

That being said: yous up against the big boy now. Eric/LlonneyLlama has live around Ortona almost al his life. His troops know the lay of the land like nobody else. You may think obody is there and suddenly there will be an army on the hillside above you, and some other units coming over the bridge to pincer you.

So my best advice: raise that white flag and surrender immediately, the Allies are winning this war! Save what you can to rebuild your country under our inspired leadership.

Well Eric, it looks like a very good fight you two fought. I think you must have been surprised when Gonzalan pulled out the big cards to storm you on the left and right.

For the next round our two point player will be our best scoring player Artimon who is 7 v 2 points (Only matched by my Nemesis the infernal General DroopyOO7. )

Briefing:
Do not be fooled: Although it seems otherwise the Axis is losing this war, but we need to strike big to get it into their Hun Heads!

We need to move on Cassino and the Abbey. The enemy has dug in everywhere but we are prepared well.

Terrain:
There is some railroad track, but our tanks can just drive over it like it was not there. But the tanks can only move slowly because of the mess. Watch out around the ravines, use them for cover if you can, but be aware the enemy might be there also.

Troops
We have special forces at our command, and have the upper hand with tanks and artillery units. We even have our polish friends helping us out. (Beware they are not special troops, no matter how gaudy they did dress. )

Tactical
Move your troops to advantageous positions and guard them well. Hangman's Hill and Hill 593 are strategic points, but moving in to the Abbey will really crush our opponents spirit. Gentleman, we must move up the mountain using the holy Road. Use your troops and the terrain well and you can crush the opposition in this battle.

Well done Tony !
That was what we needed ! And nice fight you too. Turn 16 and 22 are particularly good . 22, very lucky, but still excellent !
Prove yourself : done ! Keep going like that

So, the matchups :

Artimon (2) vs Droopy007

van Voort vs Trentdep (2)

Jeronimon vs Jaykay2010

Lucky91 vs Gonzalan

LooneyLlama vs Clorofila

So Artimon, it seems we'll fight for the MVP title (well, Clorofila might still grab it... And that would be great ).

Jeronimon écrit le Wed, 05 December 2012 07:59

Even though I have been court-martialled for this before, some tips from the enemy to prepare you for your match.

So my best advice: raise that white flag and surrender immediately, the Allies are winning this war! Save what you can to rebuild your country under our inspired leadership.

SECRET MESSAGE FOR GENERAL JERONIMON

General Jeronimon, you'll find the wallet with the amount we discussed at the Brigadier's bar, in 100 euros notes like you asked, in your locker room. I took care of it myself .
And nice trick to talk about surrender to divert them from the truth, as you already know surrender is simply not in our vocabulary

Axis Team, let's not be rejoin, we passed the hard part. Just stay alert and focus, and victory will be ours !!
Do your best for the country !! Good luck !
Good luck to our worthy opponents too (just a little less than us would be fine ).

Thank you kindly for the sage advice from such an experienced player and leader
and a gentlemanly gesture, that I believe, only the BRITISH would do!!

Now, if only I had read it before my encounter with LL, it would have resulted in an 8-0 whitewash and I would not have had to sweat out the 8-7 victory instead!!!

True to your word, it pretty much played out as you laid it out, LL came out strong and applied the pressure from the start and I had to reign in the troops and heed your advice from S6 and let my aggression take a backseat to what would turn out to be your wise counsel if I could just keep up with all the threads!!

Had some timely ALL card on both the my LF and RF to thwart LL's advance and to hold mine own and to keep him from seriously threatening Ortona and in return apply the pressure to San Leornardo. LL did pull out I believe 2 AA's on me, but luckily his armor was not within the 2 movement range to effectively use the overrun aspect and thus spared me some damage.

It was a good battle and throughly enjoyed the experience of the SFTF aspect and of course the excellent scenario and to play against the author of such proved an honor for me and victory made it that much sweeter!!

But, alas, does not end there with my victory and must not prepare for another daunting task, CASSINO and once again must put your valuable "advice" to good use against LUCKY91 in the coming round.

Good Luck commanding your troops and look forward to our next engagement on the field of battle!

Yes, definitely a good battle with LL and as you pointed out, had the ALL cards for both turn 16 and 22 to obviously take advantage and make my plan work for me and with kind dice, particularly on turn 22, it did!! With the single shots from ART and the 2 tanks, kept my fingers crossed and eyes closed and prayed to the dreaded flag to keep away!! Not sure what LL would have done if I had rolled one, but don't think I wanted to find out either!!

In return, on his following turn, I also avoided flags on his rolls and kept position of San Leornardo and thus allow my tank unit move in and improved my odds on the hits, perhaps not the flag, but was a risk I was willing to take!!

Yes, LUCK for me plays a big part, SKILL....so might have to change my name and piggyback on LUCKY91 and go with LUCKY92!! Afterall, there were 90 before him and there can be 90 after him!!

Hope to uphold the AXIS honor in CASSINO and look to improve upon our standing as of now, 26-22, worst case against LL, AXIS would have come out 24-24 and thus a little pressure was relieved knowing if I lost we would still be tied and not behind!!

I will contact LUCKY91 and make arrangements for our contest, no timeframe or deadline?

Looks like Lucky91 / Luc and I, if he goes with my proposal, will be scheduled to battle on 12-15-12, a week from today, 1400pm, my time, 2200pm his time, seems like he enjoys fighting well into the night!

Until then, looks like we will both have time to plan our strategies for the coming battle and with that much time, we or at least me, should hopefully come up with a good plan for the defense of our most sacred ground to this point in the campaign, for me anyway, since I am new to the fight!!

Best of luck to the rest of the AXIS crew in their coming battles in preventing the ALLIES from capturing CASSINO!!

Thanks for the heads up. I had originally went back and forth on making them steep hills, but I wanted to give the Allies a chance to take the Abbey. I see there were 2 hill hexes that weren't normal and still steep hills. It has been corrected. ALL hills are normal hills. Thanks again for pointing this out. Fortunately, no one has played it in our tournament yet.

So today I played it against Jim and am now ready to give my take on the scenario.

I remember playing it some time ago, so I think Eric tested it on me that time.

I now played it against Hermann/Johnny a few times because I could not find humans willing to play. Hermann is a bad german to play this scenario. He rushes out and can be shot easily. I've seen him put men next to mine when they could have gone into a town or other cover without having less dice the next turn. Weirdly suicidal.

As the Allies he is a hard enemy to win over, his playing style works very well for the allies. Out of three games as Axis I managed to win only one.

Both sides need to position their troops very carefully. The Allies to get a lot of dice on the Axis units and the Axis to get more units into the battle. "Developing" the tanks on the Axis right wing takes a couple of turns, but if you get them into good positions, they can really do some damage.

I find the beginning of the battle is mostly on the Allies right side. Get the forward germans and then move on Hill593. The battle then shifts to fighting over Hangman's Hill and sometimes even the Abbey. Axis watch out for BEL!

I still don't know if it would be a good strategy to retreat the germans. You can get a lot of shots in from cover with those forward guys in the Hotel, cassino and Jail.

I do enjoy the scenario because it gives you choices: shall I leave cover and attack, but fear retaliation, or shall I hide here and take pot shots at the enemy. Especially around Hill 593 there are real dilemma's. Moving forward get's you extra dice, but that is both ways! So if you do not kill they will come after you.

But what I like even more in the scenario is you have to look very carefully where you position your units, otherwise you block your own line of fire. So before the big cards you need to have positioned your units already to get them to the right place. (The tanks only moving moving two hexes only enhances this puzzle). In that it is a lot like The battle of Imphal/Kohima where you also had to think a few moves ahead or get stuck with units in places you cannot use them, or failed to get your units of the back line and they never got to the battle.

So Eric,
Thanks for another great scenario.

With the added bonus that I feel the Allies can do well on this one so we can get back in the race for the endgame. I do hope the last scenario will be (a bit ) more balanced, so we can have a real tense nail-biting finale.